Makao Rules: How to Play the Polish Card Game
Makao is the Polish version of Crazy Eights. Everyone gets 5 cards and plays one card of the same suit or rank as the top card. 2 and 3 make the next player draw 2 or 3, the King of hearts makes the next player draw 5 and the King of spades the player before; you defend with another battle card. A 4 makes the next player wait a turn, the Jack demands a rank and the Ace changes the suit. Say "Makao!" on your last card.
1. The basics
- Cards: one 52-card deck (some groups add jokers as wild cards; GameLake plays without).
- The deal: 5 cards each; the rest is the draw pile and its top card starts the discard pile.
- Your turn: play one card of the same suit or rank as the top card. If you can't, draw a card; if it fits you may play it.
2. Battle cards
Battle cards in Makao. The other Kings are ordinary cards.
| Card | What it does |
|---|---|
| 2 | The next player draws 2 |
| 3 | The next player draws 3 |
| King of hearts | The next player draws 5 |
| King of spades | The player before draws 5 |
You defend by playing another battle card of the same suit or the same rank: the penalties add up and pass on. If you can't, you draw the whole total.
3. Fours, Jacks and Aces
The other special cards in Makao.
| Card | What it does |
|---|---|
| 4 | The next player waits a turn. They can pass it on with another 4, and the waits add up. |
| Jack | Demand a rank from 5 to 10. Everyone must play that rank (or another Jack) or draw a card, until it comes back to you. |
| Ace | Change the suit. It must be played on its own suit or on another Ace. |
4. "Makao!" and "po Makale"
When you're down to one card, say "Makao!". If you forget, you draw 5 penalty cards. Many groups also say "po makale" when they play their last card. On GameLake, tap the Makao! button before you play your second-to-last card.
5. Tips to win at Makao
- Keep battle cards to defend. A 2 or 3 in hand turns an attack into the next player's problem.
- Demand only a rank you hold two of, or you may get stuck with your own demand.
- Change to your longest suit with the Ace.
- Attack the player who is about to go out with a King or a 4.
Makao is one of the rule sets in GameLake's Crazy Eights: pick Makao under the table and play Hops, or friends online. See the whole family in the Crazy Eights rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards do you deal in Makao?
Five cards to each player.
What do the Kings do in Makao?
The King of hearts makes the next player draw 5 and the King of spades makes the player before draw 5. The other two Kings are ordinary cards.
How do you defend against a battle card?
Play another battle card (2, 3, King of hearts or King of spades) of the same suit or rank. The penalty adds up and passes on; if you can't defend, you draw the total.
What does the Jack demand in Makao?
A rank from 5 to 10. Everyone has to play that rank, or a Jack that changes the demand, or draw a card, until the turn comes back to whoever asked.
What if you forget to say Makao?
You draw 5 penalty cards.